Three Centuries of Austrian Music

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Vienna was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Austrian Empire, as well as the seat of the Habsburg monarchy—making it the center of one of Europe’s largest and most influential empires. By the time the three great "Viennese Masters"—Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn—arrived in the city, Vienna already had a rich musical tradition, sustained by its affluent aristocracy. Wealthy patrons frequently financed musicians, hiring composers to create and perform music in their lavish palaces. This was how Mozart and his friend and mentor, Haydn, spent much of their careers at the court of the aristocratic Eszterházy family before returning to Vienna.

During this period, in part due to the artistic contributions of Mozart and Haydn, composers began to earn greater respect, elevating their social standing. The influence of the Viennese Masters extended beyond their artistic contributions; within just two decades, they transformed music from mere entertainment into a respected high art. This had a profound cultural impact on Vienna. By the time Beethoven settled in the city, Vienna had become renowned across Europe for its vibrant musical life and was widely considered the capital of composition. While Paris had been the epicenter of opera and London the heart of instrumental concerts, by 1800, Vienna had emerged as the leading force in all areas of music.

Throughout the 19th century, Vienna played a crucial role in shaping music’s place in society, as well as its institutional development. Some of Europe’s first conservatories were founded during the 1800s, training generations of professionally educated musicians and composers. Among these was the Vienna Conservatory—later renamed the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna—established in 1817. One of its most famous students was the legendary conductor and composer Gustav Mahler, who graduated in 1878 before serving as director of Vienna’s Opera House (the Hofoper) for a decade from 1897. To this day, the university remains one of the world’s most prestigious centers for music education.

At the same time, alongside the establishment of conservatories, numerous orchestras were formed, composed entirely of professional musicians. Many of these ensembles still enjoy international acclaim today, including the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic, which remains one of the finest orchestras in existence. These newly established orchestras, still supported by wealthy patrons, began to operate with a business-oriented approach, ensuring that musicians could sustain themselves solely through their craft—without having to rely on aristocratic courts or church commissions. This shift ushered in a new era of dynamism in music development. The most prominent composer of the early 19th century was Franz Schubert, a quintessential Viennese artist. Often considered the first Romantic composer, Schubert, despite his tragically short life of just 31 years, was remarkably prolific, composing nearly 1,000 works.

The City of The Sound of Music’s Trapp Family
Beyond Mozart, Salzburg has been the birthplace of many other influential musical figures. Among them is Josef Mohr, who, together with Franz Gruber, composed Silent Night for the Christmas Mass of 1818. Another notable figure is Herbert von Karajan, one of the most esteemed conductors of the 20th century, in whose honor a square in Salzburg now bears his name. However, despite these musical greats, no one besides Mozart has contributed more to Salzburg’s global recognition than Maria von Trapp—a name far less known than the legacy she left behind. She wrote The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, the book that inspired The Sound of Music, a film that played a crucial role in making Salzburg world-famous. The story, based on Maria’s memoir, was filmed in some of the city’s most breathtaking locations, including its charming streets, picturesque squares, and grand castles. One scene, for instance, was shot in front of the castle that today houses the Mozarteum. Other key locations include the magnificent Schloss Mirabell and Schloss Leopoldskron, as well as Salzburg’s iconic Baroque squares, such as Residenzplatz, which is located near Mozartplatz and today bears the name of Herbert von Karajan.

This five-time Academy Award-winning film has become inseparably linked with Salzburg, and even today, hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world come to see its legendary filming locations, relive the story of the Trapp family, and reconnect with cherished childhood memories.

Vienna’s New Year's ConcertAmong all of Austria’s musical events, the Vienna New Year's Concert is perhaps the most famous, having been held annually since 1939. Many consider it the most important classical music concert in the world, and it takes place in the Musikverein’s largest hall, the Golden Hall. The repertoire traditionally features music from the Strauss dynasty and their Viennese contemporaries, including waltzes, polkas, and everything in between. The most iconic pieces—indispensable parts of the New Year's Concert—are Johann Strauss II’s The Blue Danube and Johann Strauss I’s Radetzky March. The latter is traditionally accompanied by the audience’s rhythmic clapping, during which the conductor faces them while leading the piece. Each year, a different world-class conductor is chosen to direct the concert. Interestingly, the event is so immensely popular that attendees are selected through a lottery system, requiring registration a year in advance. Broadcast in over 90 countries, the concert reaches millions of viewers worldwide, with a ballet performance adding an extra layer of spectacle to the occasion.

The Vienna Opera Ball
Next to the Vienna New Year’s Concert, the most luxurious and world-famous event is the Vienna Opera Ball, whose history dates back to 1814. However, it only became an annual tradition in 1956, following a long hiatus due to the Second World War.

The ball traditionally takes place on the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday and is undeniably the most important event of the ball season. Austria’s upper class is typically in full attendance, including the President and Chancellor of Austria. A strict dress code is enforced: men must wear black tailcoats with white bow ties (black bow ties are reserved for waiters), while women must wear floor-length ballgowns, with long hair elegantly tied up.

This magnificent event follows a meticulously choreographed program. The ball officially begins at 10 p.m., when the president and his guests take their places in the imperial balcony, signaled by a fanfare of trumpets. The highlight of the opening ceremony is the dance of 180 debutant couples, a momentous occasion for these carefully selected young participants as it marks their formal introduction to high society. The debutantes perform strict classical choreographies, always concluding with Johann Strauss II’s The Blue Danube Viennese waltz. Following this, the floor is opened to all guests with the traditional call of “Alles Walzer!”

As the night progresses, various halls and lounges of the Opera House offer opportunities for dancing to a diverse range of music, from waltzes to disco. On every floor, catering services operate continuously, and thanks to Casinos Austria, guests can even play roulette. Attendees can also visit an on-site hairdresser or tailor. Around 5 a.m., guests begin to leave the ball, and while it is officially prohibited, it has become a tradition for some to take home a piece of the floral decorations or toss leftover flowers onto the couples still enjoying their final dance.

Attending the Vienna Opera Ball is not only a prestigious experience but also an expensive one. A box seat can cost up to €40,000, which does not include the €600 entrance fee or catering expenses. Given its exclusivity, it is no surprise that alongside the approximately 5,000 guests, numerous celebrities also attend. One of the most famous recurring guests is Austrian entrepreneur Richard Lugner, who each year arrives with a different distinguished guest or celebrity, including Pamela Anderson, Gina Lollobrigida, Sophia Loren, Roger Moore, Paris Hilton, and Kim Kardashian.

Due to the Opera House’s demanding schedule, organizers strive to minimize disruptions to its regular program. As a result, the entire interior is transformed for the ball in just a single day. This involves removing all the seats in the auditorium and leveling the floor with the stage, which is then covered with parquet flooring.

The Largest Musical Festivals in Austria
From spring to autumn, Austria hosts numerous exciting, internationally acclaimed music and arts festivals. If you happen to be in Austria at the right time, attending one of these events could be a perfect way to unwind after a film or photo shoot.

Among all Austrian festivals, the most famous is the Salzburg Festival, first held in 1920 in Mozart’s birthplace. Each year, this historic city transforms into a grand stage for several weeks, welcoming world-renowned musicians who perform concerts, operas, and plays for large audiences. A long-standing highlight of the festival is the performance of Jedermann, a play by Hugo von Hofmannsthal.

The Bregenz Festival stands out not only for its exceptional concerts and operas but also for its breathtaking setting. The festival’s most distinctive feature is its opera productions, staged on the world’s largest floating stage, the Seebühne, set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Bodensee. This spectacular location and its impressive set designs attract not only music lovers but also filmmakers. A prime example is the 2008 James Bond film Quantum of Solace, which features a key action scene shot on the Seebühne during a performance of Puccini’s Tosca, enhancing the sequence with its dramatic score.

For those interested in contemporary music, the Donauinselfest in Vienna is a must-see. This massive open-air festival spans three days and showcases a diverse lineup of international musicians. As the world’s largest free concert series, it takes place on an island in the Danube, covering a 6.5-kilometer stretch and attracting nearly three million visitors. One of the festival’s most legendary moments was Falco’s 1993 performance, which drew an audience of 230,000.

The most famous Austrian singer-songwriter of the 1980s was undoubtedly the eccentric Falco, who emerged from Vienna’s underground music scene. In 1986, his most celebrated single, Rock Me Amadeus, made history as the only German-language song to reach number one on both the American and British record charts, in addition to topping the German and Austrian charts. His other well-known hits include Jeanny, Vienna Calling, and Der Kommissar. However, he also gained notoriety for his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. Despite these challenges, he sold an impressive 20 million albums and 40 million singles, making him the best-selling Austrian artist of all time.

Since the 2000s, one of the most prominent figures in Austria’s music scene has been Parov Stelar, born Marcus Füreder in Linz. A musician, producer, and DJ, he pioneered the electro swing genre by blending jazz, house, and electronic elements. His tracks have been featured in numerous films, TV series, and commercials, helping him gain international recognition. He has also collaborated with artists such as Lana Del Rey and Lady Gaga.

Austria’s music industry last gained significant global attention in 2014, when Thomas Neuwirth, better known as Conchita Wurst, won the Eurovision Song Contest. The victory of the drag queen and her bold persona sparked mixed reactions. Following the win, Wurst became a symbol of the European LGBT community, performing at London Pride in Trafalgar Square, as well as at the European Parliament and the Sydney Opera House. However, in Eastern Europe, her triumph was met with controversy, with some politicians going so far as to call it a sign of Europe's decline. Thanks to Wurst’s success, Vienna hosted the 60th Eurovision Song Contest in 2015—the first time Austria had held the event since Udo Jürgens’ victory in 1967.